Bittersweet Tears ~ Leaving the Magic Kingdom

You have just spent your day walking around the Magic Kingdom. You’re tired, but it’s a good tired. Your skin feels a little pinchy from being in the sun all day. To cool off, and to take some last minute souvenir inventory, you slowly browse through the Emporium. Did you buy what you wanted to? Did you remember to get a little something for the neighbor who watched your house while you were away? How about the friend or family member who took care of your beloved furry family members? Heck, did you even get a new collar or food bowl for that same furry family member that you have missed? Sigh, it’s almost time to leave. You gather your Disney bags (which we all know you won’t throw away) and step out onto the street. A turn to the left reveals one of your favorite things, a lit up Main Street USA with a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle at the end.

The Castle is slowly changing colors, from red to purple, blue to green, and oh my, is it ever amazing. You stop and take it all in. The lights, the view, the excited Disney fans that are awaiting Wishes. A Cast Member walks up Main Street, selling all kinds of fun light up trinkets to make your evening a bit more special. It’s an awesome site. All of it. Before Wishes starts, we see an image of Walt Disney himself on the Castle saying “To all who come to this Happy Place, Welcome.” Then the tears start rolling. Our hearts begin to swell at all of the awesomeness that is Disney.

During Wishes, you watch in amazement, the fireworks shooting over Cinderella Castle are such a magical sight to see. At that moment, you are perfectly content and grateful to be standing on Main Street USA in your favorite place to be. If we’re so happy, why the tears? Why are emotions on overload? There’s a good reason for that. The tears are truly bittersweet. We are filled with happiness, yet have a bit of sadness as well, because we know it’s all going to come to an end.

When the fireworks are over, and people begin to get ready to leave, your heart swells yet again. As you walk towards the train station, you stop. I know for me, I get that overwhelming feeling that I need another look. One more look at the Castle before it’s time to go. I try my best to take a photograph in my mind, of all the magic that I see, so that I never forget being there at that moment. Then another tear runs down my face. Walking under the exit, seeing “See Ya Real Soon” is another bittersweet moment. “Real soon” is never soon enough.

It’s time to take our tired selves, and walk up the ramp to the Monorail. It feels good to sit down in the air conditioning. The ride back to the parking lot is a bit somber. I try to reach my neck around, so that I can watch the Castle get smaller and smaller in the distance until I can no longer see it well. Usually by this time, I’m seeing the torches from the Polynesian Resort. The Monorail pulls into the station, and the doors open for the last time. My only thought is that I’m really, really going to miss this place.

It seems like waiting for our Disney Vacation’s to come up takes forever. It’s like watching paint dry. But once it comes, it seems to go by so fast. Although I’m sad to go home, I’m also feeling pretty lucky and grateful. Yes, we had a great trip, we made memories, we ate a lot of great food and saw some unforgettable things. It’s always magic. This sums up my last evening at the Magic Kingdom. I hope I’m not the only one who cries those bittersweet tears, I’m sure I’m not!

Michele Atwood is the Owner/Editor of The Main Street Mouse and it’s subsidiaries and author of the book “Moving to Main Street U.S.A.” Michele also contributes Disney news to the Joe Kelley Morning Show on 96.5 WDBO in Orlando. She and her family made the move from Michigan to the Orlando area to pursue their Disney dreams. Michele is a life long Disney fan, and has two sons who have followed suit, each going on their first Disney trip before their first birthday’s. Part of the goal Michele has for The Main Street Mouse is not only to keep members informed, but to create somewhat of a Disney Family by relating to others through personal experiences and opinions. Also, Michele is making it a priority to share stories of inspiration and hope to other Disney Fans in an effort to share the Magic and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.

3 Responses to Bittersweet Tears ~ Leaving the Magic Kingdom

This was perfect and beautiful. Exactly how I feel. When my husband and I went in December for a joint Christmas/graduation trip (we both got Master’s degrees last year), we spent the whole last day there in MK, just walking around and taking pictures and people watching. And when we left, I cried because it’s just such a perfect place to be. Thanks for sharing!

Couldn’t of said this any better myself. Was just there in October for my 40th birthday and my girls first time there. We were at the Halloween Not so scary Halloween party. The girls and I got front row seats to the most amazing parade. They got pulled out to dance with Phinus . I cried. Something that you didn’t expect just happened to make your child’s dreams come true. Amazing.The fire works were the castle turns animated. Also cried because once again I finally made it to Disney with my girls. Something that we will probably never be able to do again due to finances. Every memory was so awesome. Dreams do come true. Thank you for all the great memories.